Rapid determination of 222Rn and 220Rn progeny (214Pb, 212Pb, 214Bi, 212Bi) is achievable using manganese dioxide (MnO2) precipitation with analysis by c-spectrometry. This is of interest to environmental monitoring programmes that utilise gross activity methods to screen for anthropogenic radionuclides. The contribution from these naturally occurring radionuclides (NOR) varies, and is difficult to experimentally measure due to short half-lives (t? = 19.9 m–10.64 h) and low environmental activity (\0.1 Bq L-1). The extraction efficiency of the technique is above 90%, and above 80% for other nuclides (232Th, 238U, 235U, 228Ac, 226Ra, 224Ra, 210Pb, 54Mn). Short-lived NOR have been measured at two surface water locations, and indicates elevated 214Bi activity of 4.0 ± 1.1 Bq L-1.

Abstract

Rapid determination of 222Rn and 220Rn progeny (214Pb, 212Pb, 214Bi, 212Bi) is achievable using manganese dioxide (MnO2) precipitation with analysis by c-spectrometry. This is of interest to environmental monitoring programmes that utilise gross activity methods to screen for anthropogenic radionuclides. The contribution from these naturally occurring radionuclides (NOR) varies, and is difficult to experimentally measure due to short half-lives (t? = 19.9 m–10.64 h) and low environmental activity (\0.1 Bq L-1). The extraction efficiency of the technique is above 90%, and above 80% for other nuclides (232Th, 238U, 235U, 228Ac, 226Ra, 224Ra, 210Pb, 54Mn). Short-lived NOR have been measured at two surface water locations, and indicates elevated 214Bi activity of 4.0 ± 1.1 Bq L-1.